Second floor for modular housing

ABSTRACT

A modular housing unit which includes first and second unit parts. Each housing unit part has a sidewall and two end walls with an opening in one side extending substantially along the longitudinal dimension of the part. A pair of roof panels extends over each of the housing unit parts having one end of each panel pivotally connected to the unit so that the roof panels may be pivoted between a lowered position and a raised position. When in the raised position, the panels form a portion of the second floor living area in the housing unit. The housing unit parts are joined at their respective open sides so as to form the second floor living area when the roofing panels of each of the respective parts are in their raised positions.

[0001] This application claims domestic priority based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/198,680 filed Apr. 20, 2000.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a modular housing unit and will have particular application to a two part unit each with hinged roof panels.

[0003] In this invention the modular housing unit is provided with two separate unit parts. Each unit part includes a side wall and two end walls with an opening extending substantially along the longitudinal dimension of the part at one side between the end walls. Each unit part has a pair of roofing panels which are hinged to the unit part so as to be shiftable between a lowered position and a raised position. When the unit parts are joined along their respective open sides and the roof panels are in their raised position, a second floor living area is formed beneath the roof panels over an upper floor which forms a component in each of the unit parts.

[0004] This invention permits each of the modular housing unit parts to be separately transported from the manufacturer to the building site with the roofing panels in their lowered position to comply with height requirements over the highways. When at the building site, the housing unit parts are placed upon a suitable foundation in an abutting manner along their respective open sides and the roofing panels raised to form the second floor living area and to enclose the unit. The roofing panels of each unit part do not extend the full length of the part but are rather hinged at locations which are inwardly spaced from the unit part end walls. This allows for the economical construction of the panel part as well as a maximum allowable usable living area under the pivoted panels.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a modular housing unit formed of two adjoining separate parts each having pivoted roofing panels covering a portion only of the roof area of the part.

[0006] Another object of this invention is to provide a modular housing unit having roofing panels which are pivoted from a lowered transportable position into a raised building site position in which a second floor living area is formed beneath the raised panels.

[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide a modular housing unit which can be transported in separate component parts over the highways and when at the building site the component parts form a housing unit having a second floor living area.

[0008] Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon the reading of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the housing unit of this invention shown in position upon the building site.

[0010]FIG. 2 is an overhead perspective view of the housing unit of this invention showing the pivoted roofing panels removed for illustrative purposes to expose the second floor living area.

[0011]FIG. 3 is an overhead perspective view of the housing unit of this invention with the roof removed for illustrative purposes.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the roofing panels in their raised position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] A preferred embodiment has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description.

[0014] The housing unit 10 shown in the drawings includes unit parts 12 and 14. Parts 12 and 14 are joined to form the basic unit with, in this preferred embodiment, additional living or storage areas being added such as garage 16 and extended room 18. Each of the parts 12 and 14 of unit 10 are shipped separately generally upon a wheeled frame over the highway from the manufacturer or distributor to the building site. Once the unit parts are joined upon the foundation, additional components such as the garage 16 and the additional living area 18 are added. The interior of each part 12 and 14 will be designed to have interior walls so as to form the basic living area of the unit. Each part 12, 14 will have spaced end walls 20 and a side wall 22. Before assembly or joining, each part 12 and 14 includes an open side 24 which extends substantially between end walls 20 of the part. For ease of understanding, the sectionalized viewing line 4-4 shown in FIG. 2 extends substantially along the division line between the two unit parts 12 and 14. While in FIG. 4 only one open side 24 is shown, in this case for unit part 12, it is to be understood that unit part 14 also includes before assembling or joining a similar open side 24.

[0015] Forming a part of roof 26 of each part 12, 14 is a pair of roof panels 28. These panels 28 are shown having been removed respectively from parts 12 and 14 in FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes. For each unit part 12, 14 the roofing panels 28 thereof will each include an apex end 30 and a hinged end 32. The hinge connection at end 32 of each roof panel 28 to the adjoining fixed roof section 34 is located inwardly spaced from the unit part end wall 20. The roof panels 28 of each unit part 12, 14 are shiftable or pivotal about their hinge connections at ends 32 between the raised position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 with the apex ends 30 of the panels adjoining and a lowered, overlapping position (not shown) which lowers the overall height of the unit part so as to enable the part to be transported over the highways to the building site. Each of the unit parts 12, 14 includes a floor section 36 which in conjunction with the overlying raised roof panels 28 form at least a portion 38 of the second floor living area of the first unit. When the unit parts are joined at the building site, floor sections 36 and roof panels 28 of the unit parts abut with the second floor living area portions 38 of the parts forming now the combined second floor living area for the unit. Pivoted or tilt-up walls 40 are provided above each of the floor sections 36 which can be raised to form individual rooms or storage areas in the second floor living area when the roof panels are in their raised joined position.

[0016] This invention is not to be limited to the details above given but may be modified within the scope of the appended claim. 

1. A modular housing unit combining in combination first and second separate parts, each of said parts having a side wall and two end walls and an opening extending substantially the longitudinal dimension of the part along a side thereof between said end walls, each part having a horizontal upper floor section and a pair of roof panels extending over said floor section to form a portion of a second floor living area, each panel having an apex end and an opposite hinged end pivotally connected to said part at an inwardly spaced location from said end walls, said parts joined at their respective said openings with said upper floor section of said first part abutting the upper floor section of said second part to form said second floor living area, each roof panel being shiftable about its hinged end between a lowered position and a raised position in which the apex end of one panel is adjacent the apex end of the other panel. 